New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-13
THE KING OF THE DIAMOND.

A CHAT WITH A. C. sPALDING-BALL PLAYER AND
BUSINESS MAN.
fYaoM An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT oF THE TRIBUNEl
CHICAGO, Feb i1.-When A. G. Spalding. "Cal D
Mcyey Ross Barnes and Deacon White made their
famous jump from the Boston to the Chicago club in
1876. professional baseball America was In the
hands of a few Eastern at Boston, New York and
Philadelphia conducted upon basis that
tended not to the improvement and national popularity
oil the game, but TO the personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
those who were selfshy and pecunarilv interested
Had not that famous big tour" deal been effected
W. A. Huiburt, whose blunt rugged, ironhanded STYLE
unquestioned ability and indomable will, did more
perhaps toward placing this national game upon the
basis OF financial security and popular favor than any
other agency, would probably never have been known
In connection with baseball. The old National
Association with few moneymakng clubs in the east
would have continued in its sbp-shod, seltnterested
manner OF doing business and the evils which today
are known among not few OF the minor organizations
IN the country would have enjoyed tull sway In the
REPRESENTATIVE associations.
Upon what little things depends mans future is
illustrated By the OF AL Spadng the present
ckie the Chicago League club and of the potent
over. When Spalding left the Boston team he q
big, fnclooking strapping young fellow with lots Of
muscle and snew clear eye and as clear BRAIN and
plenty Of ambition; IL was Spalting with whom
hulburt negotiated the deal that left Boston
comparatively dismantled ball team and set the West
wild with bright anticipation for the future II was
through spalding that the names of Movey, White,
ana Barnes affixed to the contracts which HulbuIt
carried away from Boston in his breast pocket. 1t
with and 0% and S0sioa IN
Of the Philadelphia club to play with the White Stock
ings, and II was Spaldng who the counsellor of
Hnlburt in all League affairs after Hulburt had been
elected to the presidency Of the National League
When Spalding left Boston he was tho pitcher Of the
Boston club. To-day he is the head Of the greatest
merchant house of the United States in its particular
line OF trade the two houses, NewYork and Chicagol
together with the branch houses, doing business o.!
more than 81 600 600 year and the whole financial
structure l. built upon hi. own and his brothers
business ability and enterprise. All of the men who
Aligned a, Boston and Philadelphia with Hubur with
the single exception of sutton kept to ii cir contracts
although there really nothing but their own per-
sonal sense of honor to hold them thereto. Arson
weakened shortly after signing and did his best to
withdraw bonorably even going far as to offer the
Chicago club the sum Of 81 900 for his release but
Hulburt and Spalding were neyorable and the
present captain Of the Chicago club may thank bis
lucky stars that such the case for be is to-day
etockholder in the club with which he plays owns
beautiful little home in one of the finest residence parts
Of the city and Is reputed TO be worth $4,000 or
more In real estate, stocks and cash,
In his bushes. office Mr. Spalding Is the genial
man whom thief New-York press representatives,
occasionally interview W en- he finds 1t necessar, to
tst the metropolis upon baseball or private business